Online Resources - Program Evaluation
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To view many of these online resources, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software which, if your computer does not already have it, can be downloaded from the Adobe site at: www.adobe.com/acrobat/readstep.html.
- Performance Measurement Packet for Youth Mentoring Programs (published by Project STAR)
This new resource from Project STAR, the evaluation training and assistance provider for the Corporation for National and Community Service, provides mentoring programs with a nice set of evaluation instruments and scoring sheets for measuring how mentors, mentees, and parents feel about the match and what mentees think of themselves and their future. The surveys, originally designed for Children of Prisoner programs but certainly applicable to any youth mentoring effort, have been field tested for validity. The packet even includes instructions for writing up the evaluation results in a way that will be useful to funders and partner organizations.
Available as a MS Word file at: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/files/legacy/filemanager/download/performanceMeasurement/XS-IN022_MCIP_Surveys_Packet.doc
Scoring sheets available in MS Excel format here: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/files/legacyfilemanager/download/performanceMeasurement/XS-IN022-a_Mentoring_Scoring_Sheet.xls - Evaluating Your Program: A Beginner's Self-evaluation Workbook for Mentoring Programs
(published by Information Technology International)
This excellent resource offers a comprehensive guide for planning and conducting a local evaluation. In addition to many useful tips and sample data collection tools, it also provides a thorough listing of other evaluation models that are available for use in local programs. Available as a PDF file at: http://www.itiincorporated.com/_includes/pdf/SEW-Full.pdf - Outcome-Based Evaluation: A Training Toolkit for Programs of Faith (published by FASTEN)
While originally developed for faith-based programs, this guidebook offers a great overview of evaluation basics and some solid strategies that could benefit ED grantees. A good starting point for those who are new to evaluation. Direct link to the PDF file: www.fastennetwork.org/Uploads/2F3325EC-7630-425B-8EDF-847AAA69BE76.pdf - Measuring the Quality of Mentor Youth Relationships: A Tool for Mentoring Programs
(published by the National Mentoring Center)
This tool helps program coordinators determine the health of their mentor/mentee matches through the use of a youth survey. Instructions for administering, grading, and interpreting the survey results are included. This resource can really help ED grantees see where problems with matches may be developing, a key aspect of creating successful mentoring relationships. Direct link to the PDF file: www.nwrel.org/mentoring/pdf/packeight.pdf - Planning and Evaluation Resource Center Web site (produced by PERC)
This Web site is designed for practitioners in the youth development field who are interested in undertaking an evaluation of their program. Designed to be a comprehensive tool, the site offers a wide variety of resources for all steps of the evaluation cycle. Particularly useful for ED grantees is the lengthy section linking to free, online evaluation tools.
Web site homepage: www.evaluationtools.org/ - W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook (published by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation)
A very complete evaluation guide. This one offers both evaluation theory and a detailed walkthrough of the planning, implementation, and utilization steps of the evaluation process. Direct link to the PDF file: www.wkkf.org/Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/Pub770.pdf - Out-of-School Time Program Evaluation: Tools for Action (published by NWREL)
Through surveys, focus groups, and other data sources, this resource, designed for afterschool programs, can help determine if afterschool services are working and if programs are meeting the expectations of students, staff, parents, and community partners. Direct link to the PDF file: www.nwrel.org/ecc/21century/publications/ost_tools.pdf - Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation (produced by the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services)
Although developed for HHS grantees, this online resource offers a very simple and straightforward explanation of program evaluation basics. This resource will help ED grantees in working with an outside evaluator and in thinking about data collection and analysis issues.
Web version: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/other_resrch/pm_guide_eval/reports/pmguide/pmguide_toc.html
